U.S. patent application number 17/834342 was filed with the patent office on 2022-09-22 for patient support apparatuses with dynamic control panels.
The applicant listed for this patent is Stryker Corporation. Invention is credited to Aaron Douglas Furman, Cory Patrick Herbst, Anish Paul.
Application Number | 20220296444 17/834342 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006381000 |
Filed Date | 2022-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220296444 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Furman; Aaron Douglas ; et
al. |
September 22, 2022 |
PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUSES WITH DYNAMIC CONTROL PANELS
Abstract
A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, recliner,
operating table, stretcher, or the like, includes a control panel
with multiple controls for controlling functions of the patient
support apparatus. A control system disables at least a first
control and changes an illumination state of a backlight when the
patient support apparatus is in a particular state. In some
embodiments, the particular state is the arming of an exit
detection system and/or the deactivation of a brake on the patient
support apparatus. The particular state may also or alternatively
be tied to a particular mode of the patient support apparatus, such
as a diagnostic mode, a maintenance mode, and/or a normal mode. The
control system may also never illuminate a first icon on the
patient support apparatus if it was initially configured in a
particular manner, such as being intended for sale in a particular
geographic market.
Inventors: |
Furman; Aaron Douglas;
(Kalamazoo, MI) ; Herbst; Cory Patrick;
(Shelbyville, MI) ; Paul; Anish; (Portage,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Stryker Corporation |
Kalamazoo |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006381000 |
Appl. No.: |
17/834342 |
Filed: |
June 7, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16568629 |
Sep 12, 2019 |
11351074 |
|
|
17834342 |
|
|
|
|
15170979 |
Jun 2, 2016 |
10420688 |
|
|
16568629 |
|
|
|
|
62171472 |
Jun 5, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G 5/006 20130101;
A61G 5/1005 20130101; A61G 13/08 20130101; A61G 7/0528 20161101;
A61G 5/1067 20130101; A61G 7/015 20130101; A61G 1/0287 20130101;
A61G 2203/10 20130101; A61G 1/04 20130101; A61G 13/02 20130101;
A61G 7/018 20130101; A61G 7/005 20130101; A61G 13/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61G 7/018 20060101
A61G007/018; A61G 1/04 20060101 A61G001/04; A61G 5/10 20060101
A61G005/10; A61G 5/00 20060101 A61G005/00; A61G 13/02 20060101
A61G013/02 |
Claims
1. A patient support apparatus comprising: a frame; a plurality of
wheels; a support surface supported by the frame and adapted to
support a patient thereon; an actuator assembly for moving the
support surface to a plurality of different configurations; a
control panel including a first control for controlling a first
function of the patient support apparatus and a second control for
controlling a second function of the patient support apparatus; a
first backlight for backlighting the first control and a second
backlight for backlighting the second control; and a control system
adapted to disable the first control when a component of the
patient support apparatus is in a first state and to change an
illumination state of the first backlight when the component is in
the first state, the control system further adapted to enable the
second control and not change an illumination state of the second
backlight when the component is in the first state.
2. The patient support apparatus of claim 1 wherein the component
is a brake changeable between a braked state and an unbraked state,
and wherein the first state corresponds to the unbraked state.
3. The patient support apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first
control moves the support surface to a stand-assist configuration
in which the support surface is oriented to support the patient
while the patient is nearly standing.
4. The patient support apparatus of claim 2 wherein the patient
support apparatus is a recliner having a seat, a backrest, and a
leg rest.
5. The patient support apparatus of claim 4 further including an
exit detection system that, when armed, is adapted to detect when
the patient has exited the support surface.
6. The patient support apparatus of claim 5 wherein the control
system is further adapted to disable the first control when the
exit detection system is armed.
7. The patient support apparatus of claim 6 wherein the first
control moves the support surface to a stand-assist configuration
in which the support surface is oriented to support the patient
while the patient is nearly standing.
8. A patient support apparatus comprising: a frame; a plurality of
wheels; a support surface supported by the frame and adapted to
support a patient thereon; an actuator assembly for moving the
support surface to a plurality of different configurations, the
actuator assembly including a plurality of actuators; a control
panel including a first icon and a second icon; and a control
system adapted to switch the patient support apparatus from a first
mode to a second mode, wherein the first icon is associated with a
first function of the patient support apparatus and the second icon
is associated with a second function of the patient support
apparatus when the patient support apparatus is in the first mode,
and wherein the first icon is associated with a third function of
the patient support apparatus and the second icon is associated
with a fourth function of the patient support apparatus when the
patient support apparatus is in the second mode.
9. The patient support apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first
function activates the plurality of actuators to move the support
surface to a first configuration and the second function activates
the plurality of actuators to move the support surface to a second
configuration.
10. The patient support apparatus of claim 9 wherein the third
function activates a first individual one of the plurality of
actuators only, and the fourth function activates a second
individual one of the plurality of actuators only.
11. The patient support apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first
function indicates one of the different configurations of the
support surface and the third function indicates diagnostic
information regarding the patient support apparatus.
12. The patient support apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first
function indicates one of the different configurations of the
support surface and the third function indicates a code.
13. The patient support apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first
icon includes a plurality of markers that are selectively
illuminated to indicate a current configuration of the support
surface and that are selectively illuminated to indicate the
code.
14. The patient support apparatus of claim 8 wherein the control
panel further includes a third icon and a backlight for
backlighting the third icon, wherein control system is further
adapted to activate the backlight when the patient support
apparatus is in the first mode and to deactivate the backlight when
the patient support apparatus is in the second mode.
15. A patient support apparatus comprising: a frame; a plurality of
wheels; a support surface supported by the frame and adapted to
support a patient thereon; an actuator assembly for moving the
support surface to a plurality of different configurations; a
control panel including a first icon and a second icon; a first
backlight for backlighting the first icon and a second backlight
for backlighting the second icon; and a control system adapted to
never illuminate the first icon if the patient support apparatus
was configured in a first state when sold and to selectively
illuminate the second icon if the patient support apparatus was
configured in the first state.
16. The patient support apparatus of claim 15 further wherein the
first icon indicates a charge status of a battery and the first
state corresponds to the patient support apparatus being sold
without a battery option.
17. The patient support apparatus of claim 15 wherein the control
system is further adapted to selectively illuminate the first icon
and to never illuminate the second icon if the patient support
apparatus was configured in a second state when sold.
18. The patient support apparatus of claim 17 wherein the first
icon includes an English word and the first state corresponds to
the patient support apparatus being configured for sale in a
non-English speaking locale, and wherein the second icon includes
no words and the second state corresponds to the patient support
apparatus being configured for sale in an English-speaking
locale.
19. The patient support apparatus of claim 18 wherein the first
icon and the second icon each control, when pressed, the same
function of the patient support apparatus.
20. The patient support apparatus of claim 17 wherein the patient
support apparatus is a recliner having a seat, a leg rest, and a
backrest; wherein the first icon, when pressed, controls the
actuator assembly when the patient support apparatus is configured
in the second state; and wherein the second icon, when pressed,
controls the actuator assembly when the patient support apparatus
is configured in the first state.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 16/568,629 filed Sep. 12, 2019, by inventors Aaron Furman
et al. and entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUSES WITH DYNAMIC
CONTROL PANELS, which in turn claims priority to U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/170,979 filed Jun. 2, 2016, by inventors
Aaron Furman et al. and entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUSES WITH
DYNAMIC CONTROL PANELS, which in turn claims priority to U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/171,472 filed Jun. 5,
2015, by inventors Aaron Furman et al. and entitled PATIENT SUPPORT
APPARATUSES WITH DYNAMIC CONTROL PANELS, the complete disclosures
of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to patient care devices, such
as patient thermal temperature management systems, as well as
patient support apparatuses, such as beds, cots, stretchers,
recliners, and the like.
[0003] Patient care devices often include one or more control
panels for controlling aspects of the patient care device. Such
control panels may be touch screens, may include a plurality of
discrete buttons or switches, or may include combinations of these
and other types of controls. Regardless of the specific physical
construction of the control panel, it is often desirable for the
control panel to be easily understood so that a user can quickly
understand how the control panel operates.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to some embodiments, the present disclosure
relates to patient care devices having control panels that are more
easily understood by users and/or that automatically adapt to
changing conditions. The automatic adaptations help ensure that the
user understands how the functionality of the patient care device
changes in response to changing states or conditions of the patient
care devices.
[0005] According to one embodiment, a patient support apparatus is
provided that includes a frame, wheels, a support surface for
supporting a patient, an actuator assembly, a control panel, first
and second backlights, and a control system. The actuator assembly
is for moving the support surface to a plurality of different
configurations. The control panel includes a first control for
moving the support surface in a first manner and a second control
for moving the support surface in a second manner. The first
backlight provides backlighting for the first control and the
second backlight provides backlighting for the second control. The
control system disables the first control when the support surface
is in a particular configuration and changes an illumination state
of the first backlight when the support surface is in the
particular configuration.
[0006] In other embodiments, the control system also enables the
second control and does not change an illumination state of the
second backlight when the support surface is in the particular
configuration. The control system may further include a third
control on the control panel for moving the support surface in a
third manner, and a third backlight for backlight the third
control. When so included, the control system enables the third
control and does not change an illumination state of the third
backlight when the support surface is in the particular
configuration.
[0007] In some embodiments, the patient support apparatus includes
a battery for powering the actuator assembly and the control system
disables the first control but enables the second control when a
charge level of the battery falls below a threshold.
[0008] Still further, in some embodiments the patient support
apparatus is a recliner having a seat, a backrest, and a leg rest.
When implemented as a recliner, the first control raises a height
of the seat and the second control lowers a height of the seat, at
least in some embodiments. The particular configuration may refer
to any one of the following: a flat configuration in which the
seat, backrest, and leg rest are substantially horizontal; a
Trendelenburg configuration in which the leg rest supports the
patient's legs at a higher height than the backrest supports the
patient's head; a stand-assist configuration in which the backrest,
seat, and leg rest are collectively oriented to support the patient
while the patient is nearly standing; or a maximum height
configuration in which the seat is raised to its maximum
height.
[0009] In some embodiments, the first control lowers the height of
the seat and the particular configuration is a minimum height
configuration in which the seat is lowered to its minimum
height.
[0010] In other embodiments, the first control moves the support
surface to a Trendelenburg configuration in which the patient's
head is supported at a height lower than the patient's legs, and
the particular configuration is the Trendelenburg
configuration.
[0011] In still other embodiments, the first control moves the
support surface to a stand-assist configuration in which the
support surface is oriented to support the patient while the
patient is nearly standing, and the particular configuration is the
stand-assist configuration.
[0012] In another embodiment, a patient support apparatus is
provided that includes a frame, wheels, a support surface, an
actuator assembly, a control panel, first and second backlights,
and a control system. The actuator assembly moves the support
surface to a plurality of different configurations. The control
panel includes a first control for controlling a first function of
the patient support apparatus and a second control for controlling
a second function of the patient support apparatus. The first
backlight provides backlighting for the first control and the
second backlight provides backlighting for the second control. The
control system disables the first control when the patient support
apparatus is in a particular state and changes an illumination
state of the first backlight when the patient support apparatus is
in the particular state.
[0013] An exit detection system is included in some embodiments and
the particular state is defined by the exit detection system being
armed. When so armed, the first function that is disabled is
movement of the support surface to one of a Trendelenburg
configuration, a stand-assist configuration, and a flat
configuration.
[0014] In some embodiments, the particular state is defined by the
support surface being in one of a Trendelenburg configuration, a
stand-assist configuration, and a flat configuration, and the first
function arms the exit detection system.
[0015] When a battery is included for powering the actuator
assembly, the particular state is defined by a charge level of the
battery falling below a threshold, in some embodiments. The control
system enables the second control when the patient support
apparatus is in the particular state and does not change an
illumination state of the second backlight when the patient support
apparatus is in the particular state. The first function raises a
height of the support surface and the second function lowers the
height of the support surface.
[0016] In another embodiment, the particular state is defined by a
brake being in an unbraked state, and the first function moves the
support surface to a stand-assist configuration in which the
support surface is oriented to support the patient while the
patient is nearly standing.
[0017] According to another embodiment, a patient support apparatus
is provided that includes a frame, wheels, a support surface, an
actuator assembly, an exit detection system, a control panel, first
and second backlights, and a control system. The actuator assembly
moves the support surface to a plurality of different
configurations. The exit detection system, when armed, detects when
the patient has exited the support surface. The control panel
includes a first control for controlling a first function of the
patient support apparatus and a second control for arming the exit
detection system. The first backlight provides backlighting for the
first control and the second backlight provides backlighting for
the second control. The control system disables the first control
when the exit detection system is armed and changes an illumination
state of the first backlight when the exit detection system is
armed.
[0018] The first control, in some embodiments, moves the support
surface to one of a Trendelenburg configuration, a stand-assist
configuration, and a flat configuration. In other embodiments, the
first control moves the support surface to a stand-assist
configuration in which the support surface is oriented to support
the patient while the patient is nearly standing. When the first
control moves the support surface to a stand-assign configuration,
the control system may further be adapted to also disable the first
control when the brake is in the unbraked state and to change the
illumination state of the first backlight when brake is in the
unbraked state.
[0019] According to another embodiment, a patient support apparatus
is provided that includes a frame, wheels, a support surface, an
actuator assembly, a brake, a control panel, first and second
backlights, and a control system. The actuator assembly moves the
support surface to a plurality of different configurations. The
brake is changeable between a braked state and an unbraked state.
The control panel includes a first control for controlling a first
function of the patient support apparatus and a second control for
controlling a second function of the patient support apparatus. The
first backlight provides backlighting for the first control and the
second backlight provides backlighting for the second control. The
control system disables the first control when the brake is in the
unbraked state and changes an illumination state of the first
backlight when the brake is in the unbraked state.
[0020] In some embodiments, the control system enables the second
control and does not change an illumination state of the second
backlight when the brake is in the unbraked state.
[0021] According to another embodiment, a patient support apparatus
is provided that includes a frame, wheels, a support surface, an
actuator assembly, a control panel, and a control system. The
actuator assembly moves the support surface to a plurality of
different configurations and includes a plurality of actuators. The
control panel includes a first icon and a second icon. The control
system switches the patient support apparatus from a first mode to
a second mode. When the patient support apparatus is in the first
mode, the first icon is associated with a first function of the
patient support apparatus and the second icon is associated with a
second function of the patient support apparatus. When the patient
support apparatus is in the second mode, the first icon is
associated with a third function of the patient support apparatus
and the second icon is associated with a fourth function of the
patient support apparatus.
[0022] In some embodiments, the first function activates the
plurality of actuators to move the support surface to a first
configuration and the second function activates the plurality of
actuators to move the support surface to a second configuration. In
some of such embodiments, the third function activates a first
individual one of the plurality of actuators only, and the fourth
function activates a second individual one of the plurality of
actuators only.
[0023] In other embodiments, the first function indicates one of
the different configurations of the support surface and the third
function indicates diagnostic information regarding the patient
support apparatus.
[0024] In another embodiment, the first function indicates one of
the different configurations of the support surface and the third
function indicates a code. The first icon may include a plurality
of markers that are selectively illuminated to indicate the
configuration of the support surface and that are selectively
illuminated to indicate the code.
[0025] The control panel further includes a third icon and a
backlight for backlighting the third icon, in some embodiments.
When included, the control system activates the backlight when the
patient support apparatus is in the first mode and deactivates the
backlight when the patient support apparatus is in the second
mode.
[0026] According to another embodiment, a patient support apparatus
is provided that includes a frame, wheels, a support surface, an
actuator assembly, a control panel, first and second backlights,
and a control system. The control panel includes first and second
icons that are backlit by the first and second backlights,
respectively. The control system lights the first backlight during
normal operation of the patient support apparatus if the patient
support apparatus was manufactured or configured in a first state
and only selectively lights the second backlight if the patient
support apparatus was manufactured of configured in the first
state.
[0027] In other embodiments, the first icon indicates a charge
status of a battery and the first state corresponds to the patient
support apparatus being manufactured or configured without a
battery.
[0028] The control system, in some embodiments, selectively lights
the first backlight and never lights the second backlight if the
patient support apparatus was manufactured or configured in a
second state. In some such embodiments, the first icon includes an
English word or caption and the first state corresponds to the
patient support apparatus being manufactured of configured for sale
in a non-English speaking country (or locale), and the second icon
includes no words and the second state corresponds to the patient
support apparatus being manufactured or configured for sale in an
English-speaking country (or locale).
[0029] The first icon and the second icon each control, when
pressed, the same function of the patient support apparatus, in at
least some embodiments.
[0030] The first icon, when pressed, controls the actuator assembly
when the patient support apparatus is manufactured or configured in
the second state, and second icon, when pressed, controls the
actuator assembly when the patient support apparatus is
manufactured or configured in the first state.
[0031] Before the various embodiments disclosed herein are
explained in detail, it is to be understood that the claims are not
to be limited to the details of operation, to the details of
construction, or to the arrangement of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
embodiments described herein are capable of being practiced or
being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed
herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including" and
"comprising" and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items
listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional
items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in
the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly
stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting
the claims to any specific order or number of components. Nor
should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the
scope of the claims any additional steps or components that might
be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a patient support
apparatus embodying various aspects of the present disclosure;
[0033] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a control system usable on any of the
patient support apparatuses described herein, including that of
FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 3A is a plan view of a control panel usable on the
patient support apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in a state where an exit
detection system has not been armed;
[0035] FIG. 3B is a plan view of the control panel of FIG. 3A shown
in a state where an exit detection system of the patient support
apparatus has been armed;
[0036] FIG. 3C is a plan view of the control panel of FIG. 3A shown
in a state where an actuator limit has been reached;
[0037] FIG. 3D is a plan view of the control panel of FIG. 3A shown
in a state where a brake of the patient support apparatus has not
been activated;
[0038] FIG. 3E is a plan view of the control panel of FIG. 3A shown
in a state where the remaining charge on the battery has fallen
below a threshold;
[0039] FIG. 3F is a plan view of the control panel of FIG. 3A shown
in a sleep mode;
[0040] FIG. 3G is a plan view of the control panel of FIG. 3A shown
when implemented on a patient support that is not equipped with a
battery option; and
[0041] FIG. 3H is a plan view of the control panel of FIG. 3A shown
in a maintenance mode.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0042] A patient support apparatus 20 according to one embodiment
of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 1. Patient support
apparatus 20, as shown in FIG. 1, is implemented as a recliner. It
will be understood, however, that patient support apparatus 20 can
be alternatively implemented as a bed, a cot, a stretcher, or still
other types of apparatuses that are capable of supporting a
patient. Further, it will be understood that the embodiments of the
present disclosure discussed herein can alternatively be
incorporated into other types of patient care devices, such as, but
not limited to, temperature management systems for controlling the
temperature of patients. One such temperature management system is
disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.
14/282,383 filed May 20, 2014 by inventors Christopher J. Hopper et
al. and entitled THERMAL CONTROL SYSTEM, the complete disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
[0043] Person support apparatus 20 of FIG. 1 includes a support
surface or seat 22, a backrest 24, an armrest 26, a plurality of
wheels 28, an adjustable leg rest 30, and two control panels 32
(one positioned on either side of patient support apparatus 20,
with only one visible in FIG. 1). Backrest 24 is angularly
adjustable with respect to seat 22 about a pivot axis that extends
perpendicularly out of the plane of the page of FIG. 1 so that a
patient seated on seat 22 can change how far he or she leans back
on patient support apparatus 20. Leg rest 30 is also movable from a
stowed position (shown in FIG. 1) to an extended position that
supports a patient's legs in a substantially horizontal
orientation. The movement and physical construction of patient
support apparatus 20 of FIG. 1 may take on any of the forms
disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.
14/212,253 filed Mar. 14, 2014 by inventors Christopher Hough et
al. and entitled MEDICAL SUPPORT APPARATUS, the complete disclosure
of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0044] The control of the movement of patient support apparatus 20
is carried out via the control panels 32. Control panels 32 include
a plurality of controls 34 that, when pressed, implement one or
more functions associated with patient support apparatus 20. More
specifically, such controls 34 include controls for moving seat 22,
backrest 24, and/or leg rest 30; a control for activating and
deactivating an exit detection system; a control for activating and
deactivating a patient lockout function; and controls for changing
the states of control panel 32, as will be discussed in greater
detail below. In at least one embodiment, control panels 32 are
implemented as touch screens, while in other embodiments control
panels 32 are implemented without the use of a touch screen. In
some of the embodiments of control panel 32 that are implemented to
include a touch screen, the touch screen in constructed in any of
the manners disclosed in commonly assigned, U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 62/166,354, filed May 26, 2015, by inventors Daniel
Brosnan et al. and entitled USER INTERFACES FOR PATIENT CARE
DEVICES, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates a control system 36 that is usable with
the patient support apparatus 20, whatever its particular physical
implementation. Control system 36 includes, in addition to one or
more control panels 32, a controller 38, a battery monitor 40, a
power supply sensor 42, an exit detection system 44, a brake sensor
46, and one or more actuators 48 (which may be motors or other
types of actuators). Control panel 32 includes a plurality of touch
sensors 50 that sense when a user touches control panel 32, as well
as the specific control 34 (FIG. 3) that is touched by the user. A
plurality of backlights 52 are also included within control panel
32. Backlights 52 are selectively activated and deactivated by
controller 38 in order to selectively illuminate one or more of the
controls 34 and/or indicators on control panel 32.
[0046] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, patient support apparatus
20 is powered by two alternative power sources, a battery 54 and a
mains power supply 56. Mains power supply 56 refers to an
electrical connection to a source of electrical current (typically
alternating current, but could also be direct current), such as,
but not limited to, a power cable having one end coupled to patient
support apparatus 20 and the other end plugged into a conventional
electrical power outlet. In other embodiments of patient support
apparatus 20, no battery option is provided, as will be discussed
in more detail below.
[0047] Controller 38 is constructed of any electrical component, or
group of electrical components, that are capable of carrying out
the functions described herein. In many embodiments, controller 38
is a conventional microcontroller, although not all such
embodiments need include a microcontroller. In general, controller
38 includes any one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers,
field programmable gate arrays, systems on a chip, volatile or
nonvolatile memory, discrete circuitry, and/or other hardware,
software, or firmware that is capable of carrying out the functions
described herein, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the
art. Such components can be physically configured in any suitable
manner, such as by mounting them to one or more circuit boards, or
arranging them in other manners, whether combined into a single
unit or distributed across multiple units. The instructions
followed by controller 38 in carrying out the functions described
herein, as well as the data necessary for carrying out these
functions, are stored in a memory (not labeled) accessible to
controller 38.
[0048] Battery monitor 40 monitors the charge state of battery 54
and reports this charge state to controller 38. Power supply sensor
42 determines whether or not power supply 56 is present. In other
words, power supply sensor 42 determines whether or not patient
support apparatus 20 has its power cable coupled to an electrical
outlet, or whether patient support apparatus 20 is operating on
battery power. Power supply sensor 42 sends a signal to controller
38 indicating that power supply 56 is present, or alternatively
sends a signal to controller 38 when patient support apparatus 20
is operating on battery power. Collectively, battery monitor 40 and
power supply sensor 42 inform controller 38 whether or not patient
support apparatus 20 is currently operating on battery power or
electrical outlet power, as well as what the charge status of
battery 54 currently is.
[0049] Controller 38 is also in communication with actuators 48,
exit detection system 44, and brake sensor 46. Controller 38
oversees the operation of the one or more actuators 48, either
directly or indirectly through the control of one or more actuator
drivers. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, actuators 48 include a
plurality of individual motors for moving seat 22, backrest 24, and
leg rest 30. Controller 38 receives a signal from brake sensor 46
indicating whether a brake for wheels 28 has been activated.
Controller 38 communicates with exit detection system 44 to both
arm and disarm exit detection system 44 based upon user
instructions received via control panel 32. Controller 38 also
receives data from exit detection system 44 when an occupant of
patient support apparatus 20 attempts to leave, or does leave,
patient support apparatus 20 while exit detection system 44 is
armed.
[0050] Exit detection system 44 issues an alert (audio and/or
visual; and local and/or remote) when it detects that an occupant
of patient support apparatus 20 may be about to, or already has,
exited from patient support apparatus 20. In some embodiments, exit
detection system 44 may take on any of the forms, and include any
of the features, of the exit detection systems described in
commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,432 issued to Travis and
entitled PATIENT EXIT DETECTION MECHANISM FOR HOSPITAL BED; or
commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/212,367 filed
Mar. 14, 2014 by inventors Michael Joseph Hayes et al. and entitled
PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH PATIENT INFORMATION SENSORS; or
commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/065,242 filed
Oct. 17, 2014 by inventors Marko N. Kostic et al. and entitled
PERSON SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH MOTION MONITORING; or commonly
assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/989,243 filed May 6,
2014 by inventors Marko N. Kostic et al. and entitled PERSON
SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH POSITION MONITORING; or commonly assigned
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/076,005 filed Nov. 6, 2014 by
inventors Marko N. Kostic et al. and entitled EXIT DETECTION SYSTEM
WITH COMPENSATION, the complete disclosure of all of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0051] Controller 38 is also in communication with touch sensors 50
and backlights 52 of control panel 32. Control panel 32 includes a
touch sensor 50 for each control 34 on control panel 32, as will be
discussed in greater detail below. Controller 38 also dynamically
controls the activation and deactivation of backlights 52 based
upon a power state and configuration state of patient support
apparatus 20. The manner in which controller 38 carries out this
dynamic control, in at least one embodiment, is summarized in Table
1 below.
[0052] As set forth therein, controller 38 provides a user of
patient support apparatus 20 with three different levels of
functionality: full functionality, limited functionality, and no
functionality. The conditions for determining which of these three
levels of functionality to provide the user is determined based on
the criteria set forth in Tables 1 and 2. More specifically,
controller 38 examines two different states of patient support
apparatus 20: a power state and a configuration state. With respect
to the power state, controller 38 determines--via information
received from battery monitor 40 and power supply sensor
42--whether patient support apparatus is plugged in (e.g. power
supply 56 is present) or not. If power supply 56 is present,
controller 38 provides full functionality to the user (unless one
or more of the functionality limiting conditions of the
configuration state are present, as discussed below).
[0053] If power supply 56 is not present (i.e. patient support
apparatus 20 is operating on battery power), controller 38
determines where the current charge state of battery 54 falls with
respect to first and second thresholds. The first threshold is
higher than the second threshold. If battery 54 is currently
charged above the first threshold, controller 38 provides full
functionality to the user (again subject to limitations that may be
imposed due to the configuration state of patient support apparatus
20). If the charge of battery 54 is less than the first threshold
but greater than the second threshold, then controller 38 provides
a limited level of functionality to the user. Finally, if the
charge status of battery 54 is lower than the second threshold,
then patient support apparatus 20 shuts down, and no level of
functionality is provided.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Power State Limited Functionality Power
State Patient Battery Battery Battery Support Power Charge Charge
Charge Apparatus Supply 56 Above 1.sup.st Between 1.sup.st and
2.sup.nd Below 2.sup.nd Functionality Present Threshold Thresholds
Threshold Full X X Limited X None X
[0054] Controller 38 also considers the configuration state of
patient support apparatus 20 when determining which level of
functionality to provide the user, as is summarized in Table 2
below. As shown therein, controller 38 limits the functionality of
patient support apparatus 20 if the brake is off, but does not
limit the functionality of patient support apparatus 20 if the
brake is on. Controller 38 also limits the functionality of patient
support apparatus 20 if the exit detection system is armed, but
does not limit the functionality when the exit detection system is
disarmed. Finally, controller 38 limits the functionality of
patient support apparatus 20 if the limits of one or more of the
actuators 48 have been reached, but does not limit the
functionality of patient support apparatus 20 when none of the
actuator limits have been reached.
[0055] From Tables 1 and 2 it can therefore be seen that controller
38 limits the functionality of patient support apparatus 20 based
upon four different conditions: (1) the battery charge level, (2)
the state of the brake, (3) the state of exit detection system 44,
and (4) the state of actuators 48. In carrying out the limiting of
the functionality of patient support apparatus 20, it is only
necessary for one of these conditions to be present in order to
cause controller 38 to limit the functionality of patient support
apparatus 20. That is, controller 38 will limit the functionality
of patient support apparatus 20 if the battery charge is between
the two thresholds or if the brake is off or if the exit detection
system is armed or if an actuator limit has been reached.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Configuration State Limited Functionality
Configuration State Patient Exit Exit Actuator Support Detection
Detection Actuator Limit Apparatus Brake Brake System System Limit
Not Functionality Off On Armed Disarmed Reached Reached Full X X X
Limited X X X None
[0056] Further, the fact that one, two, or three of these
functionality-limiting conditions is absent does not prevent
controller 38 from limiting the functionality of patient support
apparatus 20 if one or more of the other functionality-limiting
conditions are present. In other words, if, for example, the brake
is on and the battery charge level is above the first threshold,
controller 38 will still limit the functionality of patient support
apparatus 20 if the exit detection system is armed or if an
actuator limit has been reached. As another example, if the exit
detection system is not armed, but the brake is off or the battery
has a charge level between the two thresholds, controller 38 will
also limit the functionality of patient support apparatus 20.
[0057] The manner in which patient support apparatus 20 limits the
functionality of patient support apparatus will vary, in at least
one embodiment, based upon the specific condition or conditions
that are causing the functionality limitation. Thus, for example,
controller 38 may eliminate a first function of patient support
apparatus 20 when the brake is off and eliminate a second and
different function of patient support apparatus 20 when the exit
detection system is armed. Still other functions of patient support
apparatus 20 may be eliminated if the battery charge level has
fallen below the first threshold (but above the second threshold)
and/or if an actuator limit has been reached.
[0058] When controller 38 limits the functionality of patient
support apparatus 20 in one or more manners, controller 38 also
dynamically changes the functionality and appearance of the one or
more control panels 32 so that they match the reduced functionality
of patient support apparatus 20. Similarly, when the one or more
functionality-limiting conditions cease and controller 38 restores
the functionality of patient support apparatus 20, controller 38
also dynamically changes the functionality and appearance of the
control panel 32 so that it matches the restored functionality. In
this manner, the controls 34 on control panel 32 are dynamically
activated and deactivated based upon the power state and
configuration state of patient support apparatus.
[0059] Control panel 32 of FIG. 2 is constructed, in one
embodiment, in the same manner--with one exception--as the control
panel described in commonly assigned, copending application Ser.
No. 14/282,383 filed May 20, 2014 by applicants Christopher Hopper
et al. and entitled THERMAL CONTROL SYSTEM, the complete disclosure
of which is incorporated herein by reference. The one exception is
that the control panel 32 of FIG. 2 does not include an LCD
display, such as is found in the control panel of the '383
application. However, in other embodiments of the control panel 32
of FIG. 2, control panel 32 can be modified to include an LCD
display, or other type of graphic display.
[0060] As can be seen in FIG. 3A, control panel 32 not only
includes a plurality of controls 34 for controlling various
functions of patient support apparatus 20, but it also includes a
plurality of indicators 60 that provide information to the user of
patient support apparatus 20. Some of the indicators 60 are in the
form of English words, such as indicator 60a, which states the
phrase "chair exit." Other of the indicators 60 include icons, such
as indicator 60b, which is positioned above indicator 60a and
provides an icon of a patient exiting from the chair and an alert
being issued as a result of the occupant's departure from the
chair. Indicators 60, unlike the controls 34, do not cause any
action to be performed by patient support apparatus 20 when they
are pressed. Instead, they merely provide information to the user
of patient support apparatus 20 when they are illuminated. Controls
34, in contrast, are associated with one or more functions of
patient support apparatus 20 and carry out a function when pressed
(provided their associated backlight is illuminated and their
functionality has not been temporarily eliminated, as discussed
more below).
[0061] Regardless of the precise layout of controls 34 and
indicators 60, control panel 32 is physically constructed such that
it includes a generally black background 58 (FIG. 3A). Black
background 58 is sufficiently opaque such that the light emitted
from the backlights 52, which are positioned behind background 58,
does not penetrate black background 58. Black background 58,
however, includes a plurality of cutouts or other structures that
allow light from the backlights 52 to pass therethrough that are
positioned at the locations of controls 34 and indicators 60. The
cutouts, or other light transparent structures, are shaped to
define icons, words, and/or other indicators, and become visible
when the associated backlight 52 is activated. When the associated
backlight 52 is deactivated by controller 38, the lack of back
illumination causes the area of the control 34 or indicator 60 to
appear black, thereby blending in with the adjacent black
background 58 of the control panel and making the control 34 or
indicator 60 virtually, if not completely, invisible. This
selective disappearance of controls 34 or indicators 60 is
sometimes referred to as "dead fronting." As will be discussed in
greater detail below, controller 38 deactivates the associated
backlighting of one or more of the controls 34 or indicators 60
when it reduces the functionality of patient support apparatus 20
based on either the power state or configuration state of patient
support apparatus 20. Such controls and indicators therefore
effectively disappear from control panel 32 when the functionality
of patient support apparatus 20 is reduced, and reappear when the
functionality is restored (via activating the corresponding
backlights 52).
[0062] In at least one embodiment, the black background 58 is
provided by applying a black ink to the back side of a layer of
glass, plastic, or other translucent material. The ink is either
not applied in those areas of the layer that corresponds to
controls 34 and indicators 60, or is etched away after it is
applied. IN other embodiments, different colored inks (or other
substances) can be applied in selected areas and/or etched away in
other areas. In still other embodiments, materials having different
reflective properties may be used and arranged in appropriate
manners to create the selectively illuminated indicia on control
panel 32.
[0063] Various specific examples of controls 34 and indicators 60
that are visually and functionally eliminated from control panel
32, based on specific changes in the configuration and/or power
state of patient support apparatus 20, will now be discussed with
reference to FIGS. 3A-3H. It will be understood that the specific
controls and indicators that are eliminated (and restored), as well
as the corresponding configuration and/or power states that cause
their elimination, can be varied from the discussion below.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 3A, control panel 32 includes controls
34a-j. Control 34a, when pressed, toggles between arming and
disarming exit detection system 44. Controls 34b-g carry out
coordinated movement of seat 22, backrest 24, and leg rest 30 to
different configurations. For example, control 34b moves seat 22,
backrest 24, and leg rest 30 to a stand assist position, and
control 34g moves seat 22, backrest 24, and leg rest 30 to a
Trendelenburg configuration. Further description of the movement
that results from pressing controls 34b-34g is provided in commonly
assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/029,142 filed Jul. 25,
2014 by inventors Anish Paul et al. and entitled MEDICAL SUPPORT
APPARATUS, the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
[0065] Control 34j, when pressed, toggles between locking and
unlocking the patient control panels (not shown). In at least one
embodiment, patient support apparatus 20 includes, in addition to
two control panels 32 that are positioned on opposite sides of
backrest 24 and that are primarily intended for use by a caregiver,
another one or two control panels that are positioned on armrests
26 and that are primarily intended for use by the occupant of
patient support apparatus 20. The patient control panels allows the
patient to move the seat, backrest, and armrest to certain
configurations, but do not allow the patient to perform other
functions (such as arming and disarming the exit detection system).
In some situations, it is desirable to lock out these patient
control panels so that the patient cannot change the physical
configuration of patient support apparatus 20. In order to do so,
the caregiver presses on control 34j causing the patient control
panels to be locked. When locked, controller 38 activates the
backlight 52 positioned behind a lockout indicator 60c1 (FIG. 3C)
that is shaped as a closed lock. When unlocked, controller 38
activates the backlight 52 positioned behind an adjacent lockout
indicator 60c2 that is shaped as an open lock (FIGS. 3A-3D). These
indicators 60c1 and 60c2 inform the user whether or not the patient
control panels are locked out or not. Although FIGS. 3C and 3D
illustrate both indicators 60c1 and 60c2 as simultaneously being
backlit, it will be understood that this is purely for illustrative
purposes and that in actual operation controller 38 only
illuminates one or the other of indicators 60c1 and 60c2 at a time.
An English word indicator 60d identifies indicators 60c1 and 60c2
as corresponding to the occupant control lockouts.
[0066] Control panel 32 further includes controls 34h and 34i that,
when pressed, change the height of seat 22. Specifically, control
34h actuates one or more actuators 48 in a manner that raises the
height of seat 22, and control 34i actuates the one or more
actuators 48 in a manner that lowers the height of seat 22. An
English language indicator 60l identifies the controls 34h and 34i
as controls for controlling the height of seat 22.
[0067] Control panel 32 also includes a first brake indicator 60e1,
a second brake indicator 60e2 (FIG. 3C), and a third brake
indicator 60f. First brake indicator 60e1 is an icon of a closed
lock and is illuminated by a corresponding backlight 52 when the
brake on patient support apparatus 20 is activated. Second brake
indicator 60e2, which is shown in FIG. 3C but not FIG. 3A, is
positioned to the right of first brake indicator 60e and is an icon
of an open lock. This open lock icon is backlit when the brake of
patient support apparatus 20 is not activated (i.e. unlocked).
Although FIGS. 3C and 3D illustrate both indicators 60e1 and 60e2
as simultaneously being backlit, it will be understood that this is
purely for illustrative purposes and that in actual operation
controller 38 only illuminates one or the other of indicators 60e1
and 60e2 at a time. Third brake indicator 60f is an English
language indicator that identifies first brake indicator 60e1 and
second brake indicator 60e2 as corresponding to the state of
patient support apparatus 20's brake.
[0068] A plurality of indicators 60 are also provided on control
panel 32 that are shaped as small circles and arranged in a curved
line. Four of these indicators 60 are identified in FIG. 3A and
labeled 60h, 60i, 60j, and 60k. During normal operation of control
panel 32, these indicators provide an indication of the current
configuration of seat 22, backrest 24, and leg rest 30 relative to
the predefined configurations associated with controls 34b-g. More
specifically, one of these indicators is illuminated more brightly
than the other indicators (in the case of FIG. 3A, indicator 60i is
illuminated more brightly than the other circles), and this
brighter indicator identifies how the current configuration of seat
22, backrest 24, and leg rest 30 relates to the predefined
configurations of controls 34b-g. Thus, in the example of FIG. 3A,
indicator 60i is illuminated more brightly than the other circular
indicators, thereby signifying that the seat 22, backrest 24, and
leg rest 30 of patient support apparatus 20 are currently in the
configuration associated with control 34c (which is the control 34
closest to indicator 60i). Further explanation of these circular
indicators is provided in the aforementioned commonly assigned U.S.
patent application 62/029,142, and need not be repeated herein.
[0069] A power indicator 60g is also provided on control panel 32
and provides an indication that patient support apparatus 20 is
plugged into an electrical power outlet.
[0070] As was noted, when controller 38 determines that patient
support apparatus 20 is in a power state and/or a configuration
state that limits the functionality of patient support apparatus
20, controller 38 dynamically adjusts the appearance and
functionality of control panel 32 to match this limited
functionality. One example of this limited functionality can be
seen with reference to FIG. 3B. FIG. 3B illustrates control panel
32 after a user has pressed on control 34a and activated exit
detection system 44. As can be seen in FIG. 3B, certain of the
functions of control panel 32 are no longer available after the
activation of exit detection system 44. More specifically, controls
34b, 34f, and 34g are no longer visible or functional. Their
visibility has been eliminated by shutting off their associated
backlights 52. Their functionality has been eliminated by having
controller 38 no longer respond in the normal manner to signals
from touch sensors 50 that are positioned at the locations of
controls 34b, 34f, and 34g. As a result, when a user activates exit
detection system 44 of patient support apparatus 20, the user can
no longer move seat 22, backrest 24, and leg rest 30 to the
configurations defined by controls 34b, 34f, and 34g. The user,
however, is still able to move seat 22, backrest 24, and leg rest
30 to the configurations defined by controls 34c, d, and e (as well
as intermediate configurations between these configurations).
[0071] When a user disarms exit detection system 44, controller 38
dynamically adjusts the visual appearance and functionality of
control panel 32 so that controls 34b, f, and g reappear and become
functional once again. In other words, when the user disarms exit
detection system 44, the look of control panel 32 changes from that
of FIG. 3B back to that of FIG. 3A.
[0072] As can also be seen in FIG. 3B, when a user arms exit
detection system 44, controller 38 illuminates the backlights 52
positioned behind a bed exit indicator 60l. Bed exit indicator 60l
is significantly larger than the other indicators 60 so that is can
be easily seen from a greater distance. This enables a caregiver to
visually verify that exit detection system 44 is armed without
having to approach closely to control panel 32 of patient support
apparatus 20. In at least one embodiment, bed exit indicator 60l is
large enough to be easily seen from a hospital hallway when patient
support apparatus 20 is positioned inside a typical hospital room,
thereby allowing a caregiver to visually verify the activation of
exit detection system 44 from the hallway and to avoid having to
enter the patient's room to obtain this verification.
[0073] FIG. 3C illustrates another manner in which controller 38
dynamically adjusts the visual appearance and functionality of
control panel 32. The state of control panel 32 in FIG. 3C
corresponds to the state of patient support apparatus 20 where an
actuator limit has been reached. More specifically, control panel
32 of FIG. 3C corresponds to the state of patient support apparatus
20 where the height of seat 22 has been raised to its highest
height (e.g. the actuator(s) 48 for changing the height of seat 22
has reached its (their) upper limit(s)). As a result, the height of
seat 22 can no longer be raised any further and controller 38 has
eliminated seat height control 34h, both visually and functionally
from control panel 32. A user of patient support apparatus 20
therefore no longer sees control 34h and, if he or she were to
press on the area of control 34h, no movement of seat 22 (or any
other component of patient support apparatus 20) would occur. As
soon as the height of seat 22 is lowered via control 34i (which
remains functional), controller 38 reactivates and relights control
34h.
[0074] Although not shown, when the lowest height of seat 22 is
reached, controller 38 alters control panel 32 in a similar manner
by visually and functionally eliminating seat lowering control 34i.
The visual appearance and functionality of seat lowering control
34i is restored as soon as a user raises the height of seat 22 via
height raising control 34h.
[0075] FIG. 3D illustrates another manner in which controller 38
dynamically adjusts the visual appearance and functionality of
control panel 32. The state of control panel 32 in FIG. 3D
corresponds to the state of patient support apparatus 20 when the
brake is not active. (As noted previously, the illumination of
brake locked indicator 60e1 in FIG. 3D has been done merely for
illustrative purposes. In actual practice, when the brake is off,
only indicator 60e2 of FIG. 3D would be illuminated). As can be
seen in FIG. 3D, controller 38 has eliminated the appearance and
functionality of stand assist control 34b. As a result, patient
support apparatus 20 cannot be moved into the stand assist
configuration while the brake remains deactivated. The removal of
this function (movement to the stand assist configuration) is done
for safety purposes. Specifically, in helping a patient move into
or out of patient support apparatus 20 from a standing position, it
is important that patient support apparatus 20 not be able to move
during the patient ingress or egress process. Accordingly, patient
support apparatus 20 does not allow movement to this stand assist
configuration unless the brake is activated, and this functional
limitation is communicated to the user via the visual disappearance
and functional deactivation of control 34b when the brake is not
activated. The activation of the brake causes controller 38 to
automatically restore the appearance and function of stand assist
control 34b.
[0076] FIG. 3E illustrates another manner in which controller 38
dynamically adjusts the visual appearance and functionality of
control panel 32. The state of control panel 32 in FIG. 3E
corresponds to the state of patient support apparatus 20 when the
battery has discharged to a level between an upper and lower
threshold (the 1st and 2.sup.nd thresholds of Table 1). As can be
seen in FIG. 3E, controller 38 has eliminated the appearance and
functionality of the stand assist configuration control 34b, the
flat configuration control 34f, the Trendelenburg configuration
control 34g, and the seat height raising control 34h.
[0077] The elimination of the flat configuration control, the
Trendelenburg configuration control, and the seat height raising
control helps reduce the possibility of having the battery 54
completely discharge while the chair is in the flat or
Trendelenburg configuration, or has its seat elevated. This is
desirably avoided because the flat configuration, the Trendelenburg
configuration, and a high seat height generally make it more
difficult for a patient to exit from patient support apparatus 20.
Thus, for example, if the battery were to completely discharge
while a patient were in the Trendelenburg position (control 34g),
it could be potentially difficult to comfortably transfer that
patient out of patient support apparatus 20. Similar reasoning
applies to the deactivation of seat height raising control 34h.
That is, it is generally safer for a patient to exit patient
support apparatus 20 while the height of seat 22 is at its lowest
height, due to the possibility of the patient falling and being
injured. Accordingly, by eliminating the functionality of the seat
height raising control 34h, the possibility of the battery dying
while the height of seat 22 is not at its lowest height is reduced.
Controller 38 therefore eliminates certain movements of patient
support apparatus 20 when the battery charge has drained below a
threshold and controls the appearance and functionality of control
panel 32 to match these eliminated movements. Controller 38 also
removes the appearance and functionality of the stand assist
control 34b from control panel 32 in order to avoid having the
battery completely discharge in an intermediate configuration
between the sitting and stand assist configurations, which could
also be difficult for patient egress. The replacement of battery 54
with a fully charged battery or the connecting of the power cord of
patient support apparatus 20 to an electrical wall outlet will
cause controller 38 to restore the eliminated functionality of FIG.
3E.
[0078] FIG. 3F illustrates another manner in which the visual
appearance and functionality of control panel 32 is adjusted.
Unlike with the adjustments made in FIGS. 3B-E, however, the
adjustments made in FIG. 3F are not made by controller 38. Instead,
the adjustments to control panel 32 that are illustrated in FIG. 3F
are made by disabling electrical power to controller 38 and, in at
least one embodiment, to most of the backlights 52. More
specifically, FIG. 3F represents how control panel 32 looks when
patient support apparatus 20 enters a sleep mode. The trigger for
entering the sleep mode, in at least one embodiment, is the lack of
a user touching any of control panels 32 and the lack of a patient
touching any of the patient control panels for more than a
threshold amount of time. In other words, the sleep mode is
triggered when patient support apparatus 20 is inactive for longer
than a threshold amount of time. In the sleep mode, electrical
power is terminated to various electrical components in order to
conserve electrical power. Sleep mode is exited by the user
touching anywhere on control panel 32 (whether the touching point
is aligned with a control 34 or not), or by a patient touching one
of the controls on the patient control panel. Once the user touches
control panel 32, controller 38 is supplied with power (woken up),
and the functionality of control panel 32 is restored. Further
details about one manner of entering and exiting the sleep mode are
provided in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.
62/160,155 filed May 12, 2015 by inventors Aaron Furman et al. and
entitled BATTERY MANAGEMENT FOR PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUSES, the
complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0079] FIG. 3G illustrates another manner in which controller 38
dynamically adjusts the visual appearance and functionality of
control panel 32. The state of control panel 32 in FIG. 3G
corresponds to the state of patient support apparatus 20 when
patient support apparatus 20 is not equipped with a battery 54.
That is, in some embodiments, patient support apparatuses 20 have
at least two different configurations: a first one that is capable
of operating on battery power and a second one that is not capable
of operating on battery power. In order to avoid the need for
building separate control panels for the two different versions of
patient support apparatus 20, controller 38 is programmed to detect
whether it is part of a battery-equipped patient support apparatus
or not. When it is, controller 38 includes an indicator 60m on
control panel 32 (which is visible in FIGS. 3A-3E) that provides an
indication that patient support apparatus 20 is operating under
battery power. Further, the indicator 60m may provide an indication
of what the current charge level of the battery is. Indeed, in some
embodiments, controller 38 may be configured to provide additional
information regarding the state of battery 54, such as, but not
limited to, an estimate of its remaining useful life, its overall
health, the number of motion cycles the battery is able to do based
on its current charge level, or other information. Manners of
implementing these alternative displays of battery state
information are discussed in the aforementioned 62/160,155 patent
application and may be incorporated in various manners into control
panel 32 of patient support apparatus 20 of FIG. 1. When patient
support apparatus 20 is not constructed to operate on battery
power, however, controller 38 does not display a battery indicator
60m, such as is shown in FIG. 3G.
[0080] FIG. 3H illustrates another manner in which controller 38
dynamically adjusts the visual appearance and functionality of
control panel 32. The state of control panel 32 in FIG. 3H
corresponds to a maintenance mode of patient support apparatus 20.
The maintenance mode is designed for use by a technician who may be
attempting to troubleshoot patient support apparatus 20. In one
embodiment, patient support apparatus 20 is configured to allow the
technician access to the maintenance mode when the technician
touches a set of predefined controls 34 simultaneously and/or
sequentially. Regardless of the specific manner in which the
maintenance mode is entered, controller 38 changes the appearance
and functionality of control panel 32 in the maintenance mode.
[0081] In the maintenance mode example shown in FIG. 3H, controller
38 has eliminated all of the controls 34 with the exception of
controls 34b-e and 34h-i. Further, although not visually apparent
in FIG. 3H, controller 38 has changed the functions that are
associated with controls 34b-e and 34h-i. Instead of moving seat
22, backrest 24, and leg rest 30 to different configurations
through the coordinated movement of simultaneously activated
actuators, which is what controller 38 does for these controls in
the normal mode, controller 38 moves individual actuators 48 in
response to touching controls 34b-e when patient support apparatus
20 is in the maintenance mode. More specifically, in the
maintenance mode, control 34b moves a backrest actuator, control
34c moves a foot rest actuator, control 34d moves a seat tilting
actuator, and control 34e moves a seat lifting actuator. Further,
the functions carried out by controls 34h and 34i are changed so
that, instead of raising the height of seat 22, controls 34h and
34i control which direction the individual actuators are moved when
in the maintenance mode.
[0082] Thus, for example, if a technician wants to move the
backrest actuator upward, he or she presses on controls 34b and 34h
simultaneously while in the maintenance mode. If the technician
wants to move the backrest actuator downward, he or she presses on
controls 34b and 34i simultaneously. If he or she wants to move the
leg rest actuator upward, he or she presses on controls 34c and 34h
simultaneously. Similar combinations allow the technician to move
each of the four actuators individually in whichever direction the
technician wishes. This allows the technician to individually test
each actuator's movement and better pinpoint the source of a motion
problem that patient support apparatus 20 might be experiencing.
The maintenance mode is exited, in at least one embodiment, in a
similar manner to how it is entered, such as by touching a set of
predefined controls 34 simultaneously and/or sequentially.
[0083] As can be seen in FIG. 3H, controller 38 also displays a
maintenance mode indicator 60n when patient support apparatus 20
has entered the maintenance mode. This provides the user, such as
the technician, with a visual indication that patient support
apparatus 20 is in the maintenance mode, and that the functions
associated with controls 34b-e and 34h-i are not the same as the
functions the controls are associated with when patient support
apparatus 20 is in the normal mode.
[0084] Although not illustrated in any of the drawings, patient
support apparatus 20 is also configured, in at least one
embodiment, to enter into a diagnostic mode when a user touches a
set of predefined controls 34 simultaneously and/or sequentially.
The set of controls and/or sequence used to enter the diagnostic
mode is different from the set of controls and/or sequence used to
enter the maintenance mode. When in the diagnostic mode, controls
34 and/or indicators 60 may be changed by controller 38 to carry
out different functions and/or to indicate different information.
For example, in one embodiment, when patient support apparatus 20
is in the diagnostic mode, the curved line of circular indicators
(that includes indicators 60h-k) is used to indicate different
diagnostic codes, rather than the current configuration state of
seat 22, backrest 24, and leg rest 30. Controller 38 communicates
these diagnostic codes by illuminating selected ones, or selected
groups, of the circular indicators.
[0085] In some embodiments, the illumination of the selected ones,
or groups, of the circular indicators 60 is carried out by
illuminating certain ones of the circular indicators at a higher
level of illumination than the other circular indicators. In this
manner, the user is able to more easily see the relative position
of the more brightly illuminated circular indicators with respect
to the more dimly illuminated circular indicators. In order for a
user to view different diagnostic codes, one or more of the
controls 34 may be used to scroll through, or otherwise select
from, the set of all available diagnostic codes that patient
support apparatus 20 is capable of providing. Exiting from the
diagnostic mode may be carried out in a manner similar to that used
to enter the diagnostic mode (e.g. such as by touching a set of
predefined controls 34 simultaneously and/or sequentially). In
other embodiments, exiting from either of both of the diagnostic
and maintenance modes may be carried out automatically by
controller 38 after a predefined time period passes without any
touches being sensed on control panel 32 by sensors 50.
[0086] Controller 38 is also configured, in at least one
embodiment, to change the appearance of control panel 32 based upon
the intended country or locale in which patient support apparatus
20 is to be sold and/or used. That is, controller 38 is configured,
in at least one embodiment, to eliminate all English word
indicators 60 when patient support apparatus 20 is to be sold or
used in a predominantly non-English speaking country or locale. In
other words, controller 38 never powers the backlights for the
English word indicators 60. In contrast, when patient support
apparatus is sold or used in an English speaking country or locale,
controller 38 utilizes the English word indicators 60 as
appropriate. In at least one such embodiment, when controller 38
eliminates the backlighting for the English word indicators 60, it
provides backlighting for alternative indicators 60 (not shown in
the drawings) that include either non-word indicators or word
indicators that are written in the predominant language of the
country or locale in which patient support apparatus 20 is to be
used or sold. By programming controller 38 to behave in different
manners depending upon the intended geographic location of use of
patient support apparatus 20, it is possible to manufacture a
single control panel 32 for patient support apparatuses 20 that are
intended for the different locations, rather than incorporating
different types of control panels into patient support apparatus
20, depending upon the geographic location it is intended to be
sold or used in.
[0087] Although the foregoing description of control panel 32 has
been provided herein with primary reference to a patient support
apparatus 20 implemented as recliner, it will be understood that
the principles of dynamically adjusting the visual look and
functionality of a control panel based upon the configuration
and/or power state of the patient support apparatus can be applied
to other types of patient support apparatuses, such as beds,
stretchers, cots, and the like, as well as patient treatment
devices, such as patient temperature management systems. It will
also be understood that, although the majority of the description
provided herein of dynamically adjusting the visual look of control
panel 32 has focused on visually eliminating and restoring certain
controls 34 and/or indications 60, other embodiments of patient
support apparatus 20 can dynamically alter the visual appearance of
control panel 32 in different ways. For example, instead of
visually eliminating and restoring controls 34 and indicators 60,
controller 38 can be configured in some embodiments to change the
color of the backlighting that is provided to the controls 34
and/or indicators 60 when their functionality is eliminated or
changed. Still further, in some embodiments, controller 38 is
configured to dim, but not completely eliminate, the amount of
illumination provided to controls 34 and/or indicators 60 when
their associated functions are eliminated or changed. Still other
types of visual changes to control panel 32 are possible in
response to changes in the power state, configuration state, or
other states of patient support apparatus 20.
[0088] Various additional alterations and changes beyond those
already mentioned herein can be made to the above-described
embodiments. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes
and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all
embodiments or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific
elements illustrated or described in connection with these
embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual
element(s) of the described embodiments may be replaced by
alternative elements that provide substantially similar
functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This
includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such
as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art,
and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such
as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development,
recognize as an alternative. Any reference to claim elements in the
singular, for example, using the articles "a," "an," "the" or
"said," is not to be construed as limiting the element to the
singular.
* * * * *